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Elegant Oyster rockefeller

Elegant Oyster Rockefeller

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 oysters

Equipment

  • Half-shell oyster plate or rimmed baking sheet with rock salt (to level shells)
  • Small sauté pan (or start in a nonstick skillet then move to broiler-safe vessel)
  • Broiler or grill with high heat setting
  • Fine spoon or small mesh sieve for smoothing crumbs
  • Tongs for handling hot oysters

Ingredients
  

  • To craft a dozen lush Oyster Rockefellers
  • 12 fresh oysters on the half shell deep/standard size
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter divided
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 2 tsp dried
  • 2 teaspoons Pernod or anisette optional for a subtle anise note
  • 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan or pecorino
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Spritz of Worcestershire sauce optional, but classic for oysters Rockefeller

Instructions
 

Prep Oysters

  1. Rinse oyster shells under cold water to remove grit. Lay them on a half‑shell oyster plate or a baking sheet nestled in a crater of rock salt. Keep the natural liquor in each shell—it’s essential flavor!

Toast Breadcrumbs

  1. In a small sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; sauté 2 minutes until soft. Stir in breadcrumbs until golden, 2–3 minutes. Off heat, fold in parsley, chives, tarragon, and Pernod. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble Rockefeller Topping

  1. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter into the breadcrumbs and stir to create a rich, moist mixture. Stir in the Parmesan—this gives the topping a creamy umami heft.

Top the Oysters

  1. Spoon a generous teaspoon of topping on each oyster. Aim for a nice mound so it crisps without drying the oyster underneath.

Broil to Perfection

  1. Position rack 4–5 inches from broiler. Preheat broiler to high. Broil oysters 4–6 minutes until topping puffs and kisses the edges with golden color and light bubbling.

Alternate finish: Move oysters to a preheated grill, close the lid, and let them char slightly—channeling grilled oysters on the half shell or charbroiled oysters recipe nuances.

    Finish & Serve

    1. Optional: spritz a drop of Worcestershire on each oyster for added show-stopping flavor. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.